Hokule`a: A Sailing She Will Go...

Report from Moloka'i by Stefanie Loo

Hokule`a was back and on a mission! As part of a statewide voyage, Hokule`a visited Molokai from February 25 through March 18, 2001. The theme for the sail was "Malama Hawai`i." What does "Malama Hawai`i" mean? It means "Take Care Of Hawai`i." With the assistance of many people, the "Malama Hawai`i" message was shared with thousands of students throughout the state.

On Molokai, students rotated through four learning stations at Kaunakakai wharf:

(1) Volunteer crew members and the Ho`ikaika group discussed life on board the canoe: What is it like to go on a long voyage? Students learned the different parts of the canoe, crew interaction, the different roles and watches, how to eat, sleep and go to the bathroom, etc. Students also learned about the kind of values needed to be a crew member, such as "Laulima" (work together), "Kuleana" (responsibility), "Kokua" (help), etc;

(2) In life we need to make choices and think about how those decisions will impact the island, the environment, others and ourselves. As related to the Hokule`a, Penny Martin from Moanalua Gardens Foundation discussed that one can only bring certain supplies on board because of limited space, therefore, it is important to carefully choose what you bring on a sail and to think about the consequences.

(3) Rhonda Negrillo from Na Puuwai (Native Hawaiian Health) taught that to "Malama Hawai`i," we need to malama ourselves first. Eating healthy foods and taking care of your body is an important first step toward caring for your home and environment.

(4) Kaliko Amona from Malama Hawaii, assisted by Kathy Tachibana & Stefanie Loo from the Nature Conservancy, taught the students about native plants and animals and how certain introduced plants and animals create so much damage to the environment that they indirectly affect us culturally and economically.

The canoe is like an island with limited resources. In order to survive on a canoe, we need to know its different parts and how they function so we can take care of it and keep it in sailing condition. Likewise, we need to know and care for our island home so it can continue to provide the resources we need for survival.